As expected the game at Nevil Road ended in a dull draw today, the pitch being the only winner. There was brief excitement this morning when Notts took two early wickets but for the majority of the day Notts never really looked like bowling the home side out.
Notts have now drawn three of their last four championship games. The good news is that talisman James Pattinson returns for the next two games. His absence over the last month has meant Notts have lacked a cutting edge to their bowling. There was once again a lot of hard work and endeavour from Notts bowling and fielding unit, but they could not place Gloucestershire under any undue pressure. Journeyman Graeme van Buuren finishing on 88 not out off 242 balls.
Play got going under cloudy skies. Fletcher opened up from the Ashley Down End and in the second over of the day Will Tavare was leg before to Harry Gurney for 7, 31 for two. First innings hero Roderick (2) fell the same way shortly afterwards; umpire Bunny Warren raising the finger once more, 35 for three. Seventeen minutes of excitement gave way to the tedium of the previous three days as van Buuren and Dent dug in and offered no chances. The odd ball kept low but as the ball got older, batting got easier. Read shuffled his pack to no avail. As the sun broke through, Gloucester got to lunch on 100 for three off 40 overs with Dent on 50 and van Buuren on 29.
For a further 35 minutes after lunch it was much of the same. Even Wessels was given a two over twirl from the Ashley Down End.
Finally Chris Dent getting too frisky with his shots was leg before playing a dreadful stroke to Hutton. The left hander gone for 71 (147 balls with 10 fours); a hat trick of sorts for umpire Warren. The fourth wicket stand had added 91 runs in 36 overs to shut the door on Notts. No more wickets fell in the session, Pujara joining Wessels in the merry go round of bowlers used. Most of crowd numbering 300 were now either asleep or munching on their Red Leicester Ploughman's lunch sandwiches. Gloucester 189 for 4 van Buuren 67 not out Mustard 23 not out at tea. 74 overs had been bowled.
Patel and Wessels bowled immediately after tea with the new ball due in six overs. In the third over with the new ball Mustard (39), keen to get on with it was nicely caught above his head by Libby at backward point as Fletcher picked up his second wicket of the innings, 218 for five. But the game was now on a life support machine, Mullaney injured his finger trying to take a catch at slip and never returned. At one point there were three Gurney's on the pitch, the real one plus subs Broad and Pattinson, both mascarading in number eleven shirts. Chris Read decided enough was enough with 10 overs still to bowl at 1722. Gloucestershire 254 for 5 off 96 overs. Twenty three wickets fell in four days of cricket without any weather interruptions. Not the sort of cricket to bring in the spectators. Notts top divison two by 11 points from Kent who have a game in hand. Wins in the next two championship games at Trent Bridge are now crucial.MAG
SAMIT PATEL'S BEST
With Worcestershire having lost and with Kent only clinging-on to draw today, Notts will be looking to try and maximise their advantage at the top of Division Two tomorrow.
It was very much Samit Patel''s day at Bristol today as he made a career best 257 not out off 452 balls with 23 fours and one six. It was an exceptional innings of high concentration and it ensured Notts got a massive lead of 232 runs. Samit so often criticised for not batting with responsibility has produced two such innings in a week. It was a chanceless innings; one edge to Mustard not quite carrying. With 10 overs to bat Gloucestershire closed on 30 for one. Realistically Notts will have to bowl the home side out in 75 overs or less tomorrow. Unless the pitch changes this will be a very tall order but not without hope.
The new ball was taken straight away in the morning sunshine and Notts made slow progress. After 15 minutes Fletcher yet to score edged Miles bowling from the Pavilion End, Chris Dent taking the catch at second slip, 225 for 4. Patel reached his century with a four through backward point. His ton came off 224 balls with eight fours. Lumb and Patel added 54 for the fifth wicket until Lumb (23 off 48 balls with three fours) was leg before to well pitched up ball, from Chris Liddle. Notts got to their third batting point in the 16th over. It remained, though slow going, Notts getting to lunch on 313 for five off 110 overs with Patel on 131 and Wessels on 15. Notts had scored 92 runs in the session off 28 overs.
In the fourth over after lunch Wessels was leg before playing across the line to Jack Taylor for 18, 325 for six. Patel got to 150 in 312 balls. Read came in and gave added impetus to the innings and got to 40 in 61 balls with four fours and the first six of the game, a straight one off Noema-Barnett. The New Zealander got his revenge when Read played on, 408 for seven. Patel went past his previous championship best of 176 made at Nevil Road in 2007, Just before tea., Samit reached a brilliant double ton off 379 balls with successive fours off Noema-Barnett. Notts reached tea with a lead of 136 standing at 439 for seven with Patel on 203 and Hutton on 11.
At teatime Gloucestershire old players including Chris Broad came out to have their photo taken in front of the members.
NOTTS WELL SET AFTER TWO DAYS
Play got going under cloudy skies. Fletcher opened up from the Ashley Down End and in the second over of the day Will Tavare was leg before to Harry Gurney for 7, 31 for two. First innings hero Roderick (2) fell the same way shortly afterwards; umpire Bunny Warren raising the finger once more, 35 for three. Seventeen minutes of excitement gave way to the tedium of the previous three days as van Buuren and Dent dug in and offered no chances. The odd ball kept low but as the ball got older, batting got easier. Read shuffled his pack to no avail. As the sun broke through, Gloucester got to lunch on 100 for three off 40 overs with Dent on 50 and van Buuren on 29.
For a further 35 minutes after lunch it was much of the same. Even Wessels was given a two over twirl from the Ashley Down End.
Finally Chris Dent getting too frisky with his shots was leg before playing a dreadful stroke to Hutton. The left hander gone for 71 (147 balls with 10 fours); a hat trick of sorts for umpire Warren. The fourth wicket stand had added 91 runs in 36 overs to shut the door on Notts. No more wickets fell in the session, Pujara joining Wessels in the merry go round of bowlers used. Most of crowd numbering 300 were now either asleep or munching on their Red Leicester Ploughman's lunch sandwiches. Gloucester 189 for 4 van Buuren 67 not out Mustard 23 not out at tea. 74 overs had been bowled.
Patel and Wessels bowled immediately after tea with the new ball due in six overs. In the third over with the new ball Mustard (39), keen to get on with it was nicely caught above his head by Libby at backward point as Fletcher picked up his second wicket of the innings, 218 for five. But the game was now on a life support machine, Mullaney injured his finger trying to take a catch at slip and never returned. At one point there were three Gurney's on the pitch, the real one plus subs Broad and Pattinson, both mascarading in number eleven shirts. Chris Read decided enough was enough with 10 overs still to bowl at 1722. Gloucestershire 254 for 5 off 96 overs. Twenty three wickets fell in four days of cricket without any weather interruptions. Not the sort of cricket to bring in the spectators. Notts top divison two by 11 points from Kent who have a game in hand. Wins in the next two championship games at Trent Bridge are now crucial.MAG
SAMIT PATEL'S BEST
With Worcestershire having lost and with Kent only clinging-on to draw today, Notts will be looking to try and maximise their advantage at the top of Division Two tomorrow.
It was very much Samit Patel''s day at Bristol today as he made a career best 257 not out off 452 balls with 23 fours and one six. It was an exceptional innings of high concentration and it ensured Notts got a massive lead of 232 runs. Samit so often criticised for not batting with responsibility has produced two such innings in a week. It was a chanceless innings; one edge to Mustard not quite carrying. With 10 overs to bat Gloucestershire closed on 30 for one. Realistically Notts will have to bowl the home side out in 75 overs or less tomorrow. Unless the pitch changes this will be a very tall order but not without hope.
The new ball was taken straight away in the morning sunshine and Notts made slow progress. After 15 minutes Fletcher yet to score edged Miles bowling from the Pavilion End, Chris Dent taking the catch at second slip, 225 for 4. Patel reached his century with a four through backward point. His ton came off 224 balls with eight fours. Lumb and Patel added 54 for the fifth wicket until Lumb (23 off 48 balls with three fours) was leg before to well pitched up ball, from Chris Liddle. Notts got to their third batting point in the 16th over. It remained, though slow going, Notts getting to lunch on 313 for five off 110 overs with Patel on 131 and Wessels on 15. Notts had scored 92 runs in the session off 28 overs.
In the fourth over after lunch Wessels was leg before playing across the line to Jack Taylor for 18, 325 for six. Patel got to 150 in 312 balls. Read came in and gave added impetus to the innings and got to 40 in 61 balls with four fours and the first six of the game, a straight one off Noema-Barnett. The New Zealander got his revenge when Read played on, 408 for seven. Patel went past his previous championship best of 176 made at Nevil Road in 2007, Just before tea., Samit reached a brilliant double ton off 379 balls with successive fours off Noema-Barnett. Notts reached tea with a lead of 136 standing at 439 for seven with Patel on 203 and Hutton on 11.
At teatime Gloucestershire old players including Chris Broad came out to have their photo taken in front of the members.
Notts added a precious 96 runs in 20 overs after the interval. Although straight after tea Hutton chased a wide one from Liddle and was caught behind by keeper Roderick on 11, Notts 440 for seven. Gloucestershire were looking a bit bedraggled now as Patel and Wood added unbroken 95. Patel got to his 250 in 445 balls. He had hit his solitary six of his innings off Jack Taylor over mid wicket. Notts declared when Patel beat his previous career best of 256 against the Durham students. Notts 535 for 8 with a lead of 232. Wood 38 not off 52 balls. The wicket is still not offering anything for the bowlers. Gloucestershire having bowled 166 overs for their eight wickets.
Gloucester had 10 overs to bat. Cameron Bancroft hit a two off the first ball from Fletcher but next ball was plumb leg before, 2 for one. Dent and Tavare looked reasonably comfortable although one edge from Dent off Gurney went through the vacant third slip position. It will be a hard slog tomorrow. Patel will have a big part play still this time with the ball. MAG
Gloucester had 10 overs to bat. Cameron Bancroft hit a two off the first ball from Fletcher but next ball was plumb leg before, 2 for one. Dent and Tavare looked reasonably comfortable although one edge from Dent off Gurney went through the vacant third slip position. It will be a hard slog tomorrow. Patel will have a big part play still this time with the ball. MAG
NOTTS WELL SET AFTER TWO DAYS
Pujara and Patel build platform for possible push for win on slow uninspiring surface
An excellent third wicket stand of 146 between Cheteshwar Pujara and Samit Patel has set up the platform for victory at Bristol today. Having bowled Gloucester out for 303, Notts closed on 221 for three; 82 runs behind. After 256 runs were scored yesterday and 268 runs today as the turgid pitch restricted the run scoring and the crowd's entertainment value. Notts will be looking for a lead of 150 to press home their advantage.
Overnight pair Roderick and Miles lasted until the eighth over of the morning when Wood took wickets with successive balls. Firstly Roderick (96 - 215 balls 10 x 4) was cleaned bowled and then next ball he repeated the trick bowling Payne. Miles saw Gloucestershire to their third batting point but not before he was dropped in the gully by Lumb off Gurney when on 30. Wood and Gurney made way for Patel and Fletcher. Patel bowling from the Ashley Down End had Craig Miles leg before for 47 (72 balls 8 x 4) with his fifth ball of the morning. Gloucestershire 303 all out off 111.5 overs. Liddle 2 not out. Gurney 3 for 68 and Wood 3 for 85. Gloucestershire had added 47 runs in 65 minutes batting. Notts had bowled well with excellent control.
David Payne (Ashley Down) and Noema-Barnett (Pavilion) opened the bowling. Chris Liddle replaced Noema-Barnett after three overs. Notts got to lunch on 32 for 0 off 13 overs with Libby on 16 and Mullaney on 13.
In the 25th over, Mullaney was caught at mid on by Payne off van Buuren's off spinners for 38 (81 balls 5 x 4), 72 for one; a poor shot. Pujara was nearly run out going for a risky single off his first ball. In the next over and with Gloucester tails now up, Jake Libby was caught by keeper Roderick off Craig Miles for 30 (70 balls 3 x 4), 74 for 2. Captain Mustard turned to all spin attack as Jack Taylor came on from the Pavilion End. Pujara and Patel scampered plenty of singles as Notts got to tea on 125 for two. Tea was taken on time with only 30 overs remaining. Pujara on 20 and Patel on 31.
After tea run scoring got increasing difficult against the ageing ball. Patel reached his 50 in 120 balls and Pujara in 132 balls. They batting excellently with Patel playing the late cut expertly. Five minutes before the close Pujara was caught at extra cover by Noema-Barnett off Taylor for 67, 220 for three. The Indian smashing his bat against his pad with annoyance. His 67 off 150 balls with eight fours. Fletcher came in as night watchman to join Patel 78 not out who has faced 185 balls with eight fours. Notts closing on 221 for three off 82 overs, four extra overs being bowled. The light was closing in and rain arrived 30 minutes after stumps. The new ball will presumably taken first thing tomorrow. The morning session will be crucial to the matches eventual destination.MAG HONOURS EVEN AT THE CLOSE OF DAY ONE
as Roderick holds-up Notts' Gurney led attack
Another day of hard toil for Notts as they bowled on a pitch with similar pace and life to last months game at Sophia Gardens.
Star of the day from Notts' perspective was Harry Gurney who bowled with great accuracy and perseverance and deserved more than three for 56 off 23 overs. Hopefully he has now found his mojo. He was well supported by the rest of the Notts attack who bowled much better than in the Derby game. However they were held up by Gareth Roderick playing his first championship game of 2017 due to illness finishing on an undefeated 88. Gloucester closed on 256 for seven off 96 overs. After the hammering they got a fortnight ago they are probably pleased with their efforts today. Notts must hope they get the final three wickets quickly tomorrow and then try and get a lead of 150 plus. They will know have to bat with patience on a wicket seemingly deliberately prepared to nullify the Notts attack.
Notts were unchanged from the Derby fixture whereas Gloucester recalled Roderick and Payne to their line up compared to the reverse fixture; Hankins and Matt Taylor dropping out. Notts put Gloucester in and Fletcher had a confident leg before shout against Chris Dent with the second ball of the morning; Martin Saggers turning down the appeal. Fletcher bowled a seven over spell for 11. Luke Wood's five over opening burst went for 19. Mullaney replaced Wood from the Ashley Down End and Gurney came on from the Pavilion End. Notts finally took a wicket in 23rd over when Dent was leg before to Gurney for 23, the ball striking the pad before hitting the bat; 45 for one. Fletcher returned for two overs before lunch and with the last ball before the interval Will Tavare was leg before to a Yorker from the Bomber for seven, 67 for two off 31 overs with Bancroft 32 not out.
Fletcher and Gurney opened up after lunch. But Gurney was taken off after a couple of overs and was replaced by Brett Hutton. Bancroft was caught behind to Hutton's third ball of the spell. Next ball van Buuren played on to Hutton with a golden blob to his name, 77 for four. For the remaining hour and three quarters Notts went wicketless as Roderick and Mustard dug in as Read rotated his bowlers to no avail. Mullaney and Hutton bowling without a slip on the docile wicket. Gloucestershire got to tea on 159 for four off 64 overs with Roderick on 47 and Mustard on 37. Not the most inspiring of sessions.
With the third delivery after tea Mustard 2 as caught by Read off Gurney for 37. The fifth wicket had added 83 in 29 overs. Gareth Roderick got to his 50 off 115 balls. The flashy Jack Taylor (5) did not last long. An airy fairy drive saw caught at cover point by Pujara off Wood bowling from the Ashley Down End, 167 for 6. The new ball was taken at 82 overs by Fletcher and Wood but they were both relatively unthreatening on the slow pitch in the evening sunshine. With six overs left, Gurney replaced Fletcher and bowled Noema-Barnett for 35, 232 for seven. He had added 65 for the seventh wicket with Roderick in 23 overs. Gloucester got through to close on 256 for 7 with Roderick on 88 and Miles on 14. MAG
Notts have named a 14 man squad that retains Matt Milnes and introduces Matt Carter to the original squad lined-up to faced Derbyshire last weekend.
Chris Read
Jake Libby
Steven Mullaney
Cheteshwar Pujara
Brendan Taylor
Riki Wessels
Samit Patel
Michael Lumb
Brett Hutton
Luke Wood
Matt Carter
Matt Milnes
Luke Fletcher
Harry Gurney
An excellent third wicket stand of 146 between Cheteshwar Pujara and Samit Patel has set up the platform for victory at Bristol today. Having bowled Gloucester out for 303, Notts closed on 221 for three; 82 runs behind. After 256 runs were scored yesterday and 268 runs today as the turgid pitch restricted the run scoring and the crowd's entertainment value. Notts will be looking for a lead of 150 to press home their advantage.
Overnight pair Roderick and Miles lasted until the eighth over of the morning when Wood took wickets with successive balls. Firstly Roderick (96 - 215 balls 10 x 4) was cleaned bowled and then next ball he repeated the trick bowling Payne. Miles saw Gloucestershire to their third batting point but not before he was dropped in the gully by Lumb off Gurney when on 30. Wood and Gurney made way for Patel and Fletcher. Patel bowling from the Ashley Down End had Craig Miles leg before for 47 (72 balls 8 x 4) with his fifth ball of the morning. Gloucestershire 303 all out off 111.5 overs. Liddle 2 not out. Gurney 3 for 68 and Wood 3 for 85. Gloucestershire had added 47 runs in 65 minutes batting. Notts had bowled well with excellent control.
David Payne (Ashley Down) and Noema-Barnett (Pavilion) opened the bowling. Chris Liddle replaced Noema-Barnett after three overs. Notts got to lunch on 32 for 0 off 13 overs with Libby on 16 and Mullaney on 13.
In the 25th over, Mullaney was caught at mid on by Payne off van Buuren's off spinners for 38 (81 balls 5 x 4), 72 for one; a poor shot. Pujara was nearly run out going for a risky single off his first ball. In the next over and with Gloucester tails now up, Jake Libby was caught by keeper Roderick off Craig Miles for 30 (70 balls 3 x 4), 74 for 2. Captain Mustard turned to all spin attack as Jack Taylor came on from the Pavilion End. Pujara and Patel scampered plenty of singles as Notts got to tea on 125 for two. Tea was taken on time with only 30 overs remaining. Pujara on 20 and Patel on 31.
After tea run scoring got increasing difficult against the ageing ball. Patel reached his 50 in 120 balls and Pujara in 132 balls. They batting excellently with Patel playing the late cut expertly. Five minutes before the close Pujara was caught at extra cover by Noema-Barnett off Taylor for 67, 220 for three. The Indian smashing his bat against his pad with annoyance. His 67 off 150 balls with eight fours. Fletcher came in as night watchman to join Patel 78 not out who has faced 185 balls with eight fours. Notts closing on 221 for three off 82 overs, four extra overs being bowled. The light was closing in and rain arrived 30 minutes after stumps. The new ball will presumably taken first thing tomorrow. The morning session will be crucial to the matches eventual destination.MAG HONOURS EVEN AT THE CLOSE OF DAY ONE
as Roderick holds-up Notts' Gurney led attack
Another day of hard toil for Notts as they bowled on a pitch with similar pace and life to last months game at Sophia Gardens.
Star of the day from Notts' perspective was Harry Gurney who bowled with great accuracy and perseverance and deserved more than three for 56 off 23 overs. Hopefully he has now found his mojo. He was well supported by the rest of the Notts attack who bowled much better than in the Derby game. However they were held up by Gareth Roderick playing his first championship game of 2017 due to illness finishing on an undefeated 88. Gloucester closed on 256 for seven off 96 overs. After the hammering they got a fortnight ago they are probably pleased with their efforts today. Notts must hope they get the final three wickets quickly tomorrow and then try and get a lead of 150 plus. They will know have to bat with patience on a wicket seemingly deliberately prepared to nullify the Notts attack.
Notts were unchanged from the Derby fixture whereas Gloucester recalled Roderick and Payne to their line up compared to the reverse fixture; Hankins and Matt Taylor dropping out. Notts put Gloucester in and Fletcher had a confident leg before shout against Chris Dent with the second ball of the morning; Martin Saggers turning down the appeal. Fletcher bowled a seven over spell for 11. Luke Wood's five over opening burst went for 19. Mullaney replaced Wood from the Ashley Down End and Gurney came on from the Pavilion End. Notts finally took a wicket in 23rd over when Dent was leg before to Gurney for 23, the ball striking the pad before hitting the bat; 45 for one. Fletcher returned for two overs before lunch and with the last ball before the interval Will Tavare was leg before to a Yorker from the Bomber for seven, 67 for two off 31 overs with Bancroft 32 not out.
Fletcher and Gurney opened up after lunch. But Gurney was taken off after a couple of overs and was replaced by Brett Hutton. Bancroft was caught behind to Hutton's third ball of the spell. Next ball van Buuren played on to Hutton with a golden blob to his name, 77 for four. For the remaining hour and three quarters Notts went wicketless as Roderick and Mustard dug in as Read rotated his bowlers to no avail. Mullaney and Hutton bowling without a slip on the docile wicket. Gloucestershire got to tea on 159 for four off 64 overs with Roderick on 47 and Mustard on 37. Not the most inspiring of sessions.
With the third delivery after tea Mustard 2 as caught by Read off Gurney for 37. The fifth wicket had added 83 in 29 overs. Gareth Roderick got to his 50 off 115 balls. The flashy Jack Taylor (5) did not last long. An airy fairy drive saw caught at cover point by Pujara off Wood bowling from the Ashley Down End, 167 for 6. The new ball was taken at 82 overs by Fletcher and Wood but they were both relatively unthreatening on the slow pitch in the evening sunshine. With six overs left, Gurney replaced Fletcher and bowled Noema-Barnett for 35, 232 for seven. He had added 65 for the seventh wicket with Roderick in 23 overs. Gloucester got through to close on 256 for 7 with Roderick on 88 and Miles on 14. MAG
Notts have named a 14 man squad that retains Matt Milnes and introduces Matt Carter to the original squad lined-up to faced Derbyshire last weekend.
Chris Read
Jake Libby
Steven Mullaney
Cheteshwar Pujara
Brendan Taylor
Riki Wessels
Samit Patel
Michael Lumb
Brett Hutton
Luke Wood
Matt Carter
Matt Milnes
Luke Fletcher
Harry Gurney
Honours even on Day One Gloucester/Notts
ReplyDeleteHopefully bowl them out in the 1st hour in the morning...
Having not dismissed Gloucester part way through Day 1, Notts will have to bat in Day 2 under leaden skies, should they dismiss the last 3 hosts wickets. The forecast suggests rain showers will play their part today.
ReplyDeleteAs your report says, the third morning will be crucial. Come on Notts, no slip-ups.
ReplyDeleteTop effort from Notts ������
ReplyDeleteGloucester will take some bowling out in a day on that wicket